I was recently talking with a fellow Let's Play Music teacher about piano lesson choices, and at one point she said, "Well, try to avoid the dangers you get with traditional piano lessons."
Danger!? Oh my! I left the conversation wondering: are there really things taught in traditional-style piano lessons that actually cause harm? That actually hold us back from learning music? Can taking lessons somehow make us worse musicians?
Took Lessons, But Can't Play
I hadn't thought much about it until one parent, Amy, enrolled with me for private lessons. She wanted her daughter to learn piano and confessed she wished to learn herself, despite not reading music. Weeks later, I heard Amy play a beautiful recital piece, amazed since she claimed to know only one song from childhood lessons. Intrigued, I found many adults shared similar experiences—taking piano but feeling they couldn't play beyond a single piece. This made me reconsider: What really happens in piano lessons? Why do so many adults feel hesitant about music despite years of instruction?
The Big 5 Skills of Musicianship
I fumbled trying to put into words what defined lessons that could output a musician instead of a one-song-wonder. Luckily I found this great interview at www.easyeartraining.com with Dr. Chad West.
Dr. West is a leading expert and author of an article explaining the five core skills that define musicianship. They are as follows:
Executive
Notation
Rhythmic
Tonal
Creativity
Executive and Notation skills, which involve technical playing and reading music, are often the main focus of music lessons. These skills are measurable and straightforward, but an overemphasis on them can hinder a student’s ability to develop musical creativity. Despite mastering these skills, students might lack confidence in creating music and end up feeling disconnected from their musical potential.
As a result, many adults who had such experiences might view themselves as non-musical and may even discourage their children and grandchildren from taking lessons. However, finding a more balanced approach to music education could help foster both technical proficiency and creative expression, potentially changing their and future generations’ relationship with music.
Internal Skills
Music education often overlooks internal skills like rhythm, melody, harmony, and creativity, which are crucial for developing a well-rounded musician. Dr. West emphasizes that nurturing all five skills—executive, notation, rhythm, melody/harmony, and creativity—is essential for comprehensive musicianship.
Current teaching practices tend to prioritize executive skills and notation because they are easier to assess and provide immediate, measurable results. This focus can lead to neglecting internal skills such as audiation. As a teacher, I understand the temptation to emphasize quick, impressive results to satisfy parents, but balancing technical training with ear-training and creativity is vital for true musical growth.
Pushing Buttons or Making Music?
Dr. West notes that some educators are effectively nurturing students’ musical readiness through movement, singing, and creativity. While skills like audiation, pitch matching, and steady timing may not have immediate, flashy outcomes, they lead to deeper musical understanding and creation over time. Students who develop these skills can bring more meaning to notation, enriching their overall musical experience.
Dr. West just described Let's Play Music and Sound Beginnings classes!
Why is audiation so critical? West says, "When students aurally recognize missed notes, feel when they are rushing or dragging, and have musical ideas apart from that which is dictated to them, they are functioning as musicians. Without audiation, students are simply pushing buttons as they decode dots on a page."
What You Can Do Now
To nurture your family's musical growth, try any or all of the following:
Engage in rhythm and musical games with your baby or toddler. Create a musical home environment with clapping, dancing, singing, and call-and-response songs to build foundational skills.
Enroll in Sound Beginnings classes for your baby or toddler to gain new song ideas and activities, enhancing your ability to play music with your child.
Consider a Let's Play Music class for your 4- or 5-year-old to develop a balanced set of musical skills over three years.
Take advantage of the Two-for-One deal by joining your child in class, learning alongside them, and developing your musical skills.
Connect with piano teachers through our referral program to find those who emphasize creativity and ear-training alongside traditional skills. Interview them to ensure they support a well-rounded musical education.
Address any gaps in your musicianship by exploring online programs like Easy Ear Training or Musical U. It’s never too late to learn or join a class, and adult group piano classes can be particularly enjoyable.
One More Skill
I'm glad parents are still encouraging music lessons for their kids, even if their own experiences weren’t perfect. I hope they don’t lose faith in their own musical abilities either.
I asked Amy about the music she wants to play, and she’s chosen fun children’s songs her daughters know, so they can enjoy singing and dancing along while she plays piano.
Children inspire us to learn new things, so it’s natural to want to enhance piano skills for enjoyable family music time. I’m helping Amy learn new songs and integrate piano practice into her routine, showing her daughters the value of practicing.
One important music skill Dr. West didn’t mention is enjoyment. My piano teacher helped me discover the joy of making music, turning piano time into a relaxing escape.
Enjoyment is crucial for children to become lifelong musicians, as it makes music uplifting and joyful. Amy is doing well by playing and singing with her kids and setting an example of how enjoyable practicing piano can be. If you don’t play piano yourself, join music class with your child and be a role model at home.
If you're ready to help your child gain musical skills, find a teacher near you now!
Have fun!
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